Project

At the end of June 2024, the European Commission published the Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 establishing a framework forthe setting of ecodesign requirements for sustainable products (ESPR, Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation). The Regulation entered into force on 18 July 2024 and will enable the setting of far-reaching performance and information-related requirements – known as ‘ecodesign requirements’ – for specific product groups, to make them more environmentally sustainable and circular. The ESPR establishes a framework for setting ecodesign requirements on specific product groups, it replaces the Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC.

In the staff working document on Ecodesign and Energylabelling Working Plan 2022-2024, a review study for household washing machines and household washer-dryers was announced.

In this context, DG Environment has commissioned the project team to assist the Commission with the Review study (technical analysis and preparatory study), the back-to-back Evaluation and Impact Assessment support study for the review of:

• Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/2023 of 1 October 2019 laying down ecodesign requirements for household washing machines and household washer-dryers amended by Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/341, and
  
• Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2014 of 11 March 2019 with regard to energy labelling of household washing machines and household washer-dryers as amended by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/340.

The Review study and the Evaluation and Impact Assessment support study for household washing machines and household washer-dryers started in June 2024 and are expected to be completed by December 2026.

The overall objectives of the study are summarised as follows:

• Conduct a Review study including a technical analysis and a preparatory study as regards ecodesign and energy labelling requirements;
• Conduct an Evaluation of existing regulations;
• Prepare a supporting study for the Impact Assessment for potential regulatory measures;
• Provide technical support to the Commission Services.

The Review study will include:

1. A technical analysis comprising points listed in Article 8 of both (EU) 2019/2023 and (EU) 2019/2014 as well as new points identified based of the evolution of the state-of-the-art;
2. A preparatory study, analysing the technical, economic, environmental, market and societal aspects of household washing machines and household washer-dryers.
3. It shall establish the problems and problem drivers to be addressed by the intervention. It shall also develop possible design options that have the potential to improve the environmental performance of the product category in scope in view of the potential revision of existing requirements and the introduction of new ESPR requirements, including a digital product passport (if appropriate given that an Energy Labelling already exists), the tracking of substances of concern and mandatory public procurement criteria (if appropriate).

This Review study aims to provide a basis on which the Commission can update the current regulations within the ESPR framework. It will consider the introduction of new ecodesign requirements, potentially green public procurement (GPP) criteria, label criteria and/or a Digital Product Passport for the product group. The applicability of these instruments will be considered in parallel to ensure maximum synergy and complementarity.

Fraunhofer ISI is leading the overall project and is mainly involved in Task 7 of the MEErP (Policy Options and Scenarios) and in the Impact Assessment.

Reports and other related documents will be available on a project website (see project website).

June 2024 - November 2025 (December 2026 - optional)

• European Commission (DG ENV)

• OEKO Institut (Germany) (Technical lead)
• Waide Strategic Efficiency Europe
• Fraunhofer IZM (Germany)
• Ecomatters (NL)
• Trinomics (NL)
• Vito (Belgium) (Framework contract manager)

https://ecodesign-washing-machines.eu/